Accrington Stanley v Tranmere Rovers Match Preview
By Deadly Submarine
November 7 2008
We take a look ahead to tomorrow’s game as Tranmere make the short trip to Accrington in the first round of the FA Cup for what will be the second meeting between the sides in little over two months following the earlier Johnstone’s Paint Trophy meeting in September.
Saturday 8th November 2008 - Kick Off 3.00pm
Accrington S v Tranmere R
FA Cup First Round at Fraser Eagle Stadium
When Tranmere hosted League Two side Accrington Stanley in the first round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Prenton Park back at the start of September, it was the first time the two sides had met in a competitive match since 1959.
So just like the proverbial Bus, it seemed inevitable that after all that time, a second meeting would soon come along and sure enough, the FA Cup first round draw two weeks ago saw that to be the case with Rovers this time being the team having to travel.
As Rovers continue to look towards Wembley in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after defeating Stanley (and all the teams they have met since in the competition) by a 1-0 scoreline, the FA Cup on the other hand realistically offers more of a chance to boost the coffers than to reach England's top football venue.
Last year of course, Rovers reached the third round of the FA Cup but failed to get the lucrative big money tie they craved, instead losing out to League Two side Hereford United over two matches after previously winning away at other League Two sides in Chesterfield and Bradford City.
It was Edrissa Sonko's 49th minute strike that sent Rovers past Accrington in September and once again Rovers will most likely come up against former player John Mullin and his top-scorer brother Paul.
Rovers Will Again Face Former Midfielder John Mullin
Tranmere will not though have to face their own striker Terry Gornell who is currently on loan at the Fraser Eagle Stadium but is not allowed to face his parent club under the terms of his loan deal.
Accrington have drawn their last two matches and have lost just twice in their last six games although Rovers have gone one better than that by winning six, drawing one and losing one of their last six matches in all competitions.
At home though, Stanley have won just twice in the last six games compared to Tranmere's away record of three wins, two draws and a defeat so the game should be interesting to say the least.
The away end at the Fraser Eagle Stadium holds over 1000 fans so why not make the short trip to the game and get behind the Whites on the way to (hopefully) the second round.
Tranmere Team News
Tranmere will be without Ian Goodison (hamstring) and Craig Curran (stomach) whilst there also doubts over Ben Chorley (groin) and Bas Savage (chest infection).
Top-Scorers
Tranmere Rovers - Bas Savage, Chris Shuker and Ryan Shotton (4 Goals)
Accrington Stanley - Paul Mullin (5 Goals)
Head-to-Head
Tranmere Record Vs Accrington Stanley:
Overall: P62 W27 D10 L25 F125 A92
Away: P31 W8 D5 L18 F38 A61
Form Guide
Tranmere Rovers
Overall - WWWDLW
Away - WDWWDL
Accrington Stanley
Overall - LWWLDD
Home - WDLLWL
Earlier This Season
Tuesday 2nd September 2008 - Prenton Park
Tranmere Rovers 1 - 0 Accrington Stanley
Sonko 49
Tranmere Team: Coyne, Shotton, Kay (Barnett 63), Waterfall, Taylor, Shuker (Moore 82), O'Callaghan, Jennings, Sonko, Savage, Curran.
Subs Not Used: Achterberg, Cresswell.
Fraser Eagle Stadium Info
Click Here for Information on Fraser Eagle Stadium
